Questions About Baptism in the Heidelberg Catechism – Part 1

INTRODUCTION

This is the first in a series of five post evaluating the statements on baptism in the Heidelberg Catechism (HC) and probing the logic and coherence of those statements and their scriptural support as cited in the HC reference notes. Some statements appear inconsistent with other statements in the HC, or they cite scriptures out of context, or they lack scriptural support, or they appear problematic on other grounds. These posts do not address paedobaptist vs credobaptist arguments, but look only at the internal consistency and coherence of the arguments made in the HC. Questions as to what a sacrament is or how it functions are not addressed. Continue reading “Questions About Baptism in the Heidelberg Catechism – Part 1”

Questions About Baptism in the Belgic Confession

INTRODUCTION

This post looks at the statements on baptism in the Belgic Confession (BC) and asks questions about the logic or coherence of statements that appear inconsistent with other statements in the BC, or which misapply or misunderstand the cited scriptures, or which lack scriptural support, or which appear problematic on other grounds. This post does not address paedobaptist vs credobaptist positions, but looks only at the internal consistency and coherence of the arguments made in the BC. The questions and issues discussed herein are NOT intended to undermine or attack Reformed views, but are rather intended to promote Biblically-based thinking about the basis for such views. Questions as to what a sacrament is or how it functions are not addressed in this post. Continue reading “Questions About Baptism in the Belgic Confession”

JESUS IS KING (?) – Part 4

INTRODUCTION

The belief that Jesus is King is widely considered to be a basic teaching of the New Testament (NT). The traditional understanding is that after Jesus’ resurrection “all authority in heaven and on earth” was given to him (Matthew 28:18), and upon his ascension to heaven he took his seat on the throne and now rules as king over heaven and earth.  

But if he really is ruling the earth then it is a strange sort of rule, since conflicts, strife, wars, and endless manner of injustice and oppression have characterized life on earth almost continuously since his “rule” began. As a matter of fact, did Jesus not prophesy that those conditions would in fact be the case?

 3 “As He was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things happen, and what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?” 4 And Jesus answered and said to them, “See to it that no one misleads you. 5 For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will mislead many.6 You will be hearing of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not frightened, for those things must take place, but that is not yet the end. 7 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and in various places there will be famines and earthquakes. 8 But all these things are merely the beginning of birth pangs…”           Matthew 24:3-8.

It is remarkable that neither the Apostle’s Creed nor the Nicene Creed nor the Athanasian Creed mentions that Jesus is King. The Apostle’s Creed states only that he now “…sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty”, and implies that he will function as a king in the future when “…he will come to judge the living and the dead”. Continue reading “JESUS IS KING (?) – Part 4”

JESUS IS KING (?) – Part 3

INTRODUCTION

The belief that Jesus is King is widely considered to be a basic teaching of the New Testament (NT). The traditional understanding is that after Jesus’ resurrection “all authority in heaven and on earth” was given to him (Matthew 28:18), and upon his ascension to heaven he took his seat on the throne and now rules as king over heaven and earth.  

But if he really is ruling the earth then it is a strange sort of rule, since conflicts, strife, wars, and endless manner of injustice and oppression have characterized life on earth almost continuously since his “rule” began. As a matter of fact, did Jesus not prophesy that those conditions would in fact be the case?

 3 “As He was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things happen, and what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?” 4 And Jesus answered and said to them, “See to it that no one misleads you. 5 For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will mislead many.6 You will be hearing of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not frightened, for those things must take place, but that is not yet the end. 7 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and in various places there will be famines and earthquakes. 8 But all these things are merely the beginning of birth pangs…”           Matthew 24:3-8.

It is remarkable that neither the Apostle’s Creed nor the Nicene Creed nor the Athanasian Creed mentions that Jesus is King. Continue reading “JESUS IS KING (?) – Part 3”

JESUS IS KING (?) – Part 2

INTRODUCTION

The belief that Jesus is King is widely considered to be a basic teaching of the New Testament (NT). The traditional understanding is that after Jesus’ resurrection “all authority in heaven and on earth” was given to him (Matthew 28:18), and upon his ascension to heaven he took his seat on the throne and now rules as king over heaven and earth.  

But if he really is ruling the earth then it is a strange sort of rule, since conflicts, strife, wars, and endless manner of injustice and oppression have characterized life on earth almost continuously since his “rule” began. As a matter of fact, did Jesus not prophesy that those conditions would in fact be the case?

 3 “As He was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things happen, and what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?” 4 And Jesus answered and said to them, “See to it that no one misleads you. 5 For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will mislead many.6 You will be hearing of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not frightened, for those things must take place, but that is not yet the end. 7 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and in various places there will be famines and earthquakes. 8 But all these things are merely the beginning of birth pangs…”           Matthew 24:3-8. Continue reading “JESUS IS KING (?) – Part 2”